Small-angle Neutron Scattering

**Science and Technology Facilities Council**

**Salary**:£50,702 to £56,336 per annum (dependent on skills and experience). A Responsibility Allowance is available for this role.
**Hours**: Full time
**Contract Type**:Open Ended.
**Location**:Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

**Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) Group Leader**

**_Background_**

The ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, is a world-leading centre for research in the physical and life sciences. The suite of 35 neutron scattering and muon spectroscopy instruments provides unique insights into the properties of materials down to the atomic scale.

The ISIS Neutron and Muon Source employs more than 600 members of staff engaged in the development and operation of the source, instruments and associated technology and engineering.

The Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) Group at ISIS operates four world-class SANS instruments: LOQ, SANS2D, LARMOR and ZOOM. It is responsible for delivering the ISIS neutron science programme on these instruments covering areas including soft matter and chemistry, bioscience, fundamental physics, magnetism and superconductivity, engineering, and a wide range of other advanced and functional materials. The group has strong links to both the academic and industrial sectors. The Group’s instruments cover the techniques of classical SANS as well as the spin-echo techniques: SESANS, SEMSANS and MIEZE SANS. The group is composed of 9 scientific staff.

We are looking for a highly motivated and independent scientist to provide scientific and strategic leadership to the SANS Group, to deliver its science research programme, develop its instrument suite and its staff, and to contribute to wider ISIS issues at a senior level as one of eight ISIS science group leaders. You will be expected to have an independent science programme related to an area of the group’s activity, and will have a demonstrable profile in the science community.

**_List of Duties / Work Programme / Responsibilities_**
- Provide scientific and strategic leadership to the SANS Group
- Direct the Group to ensure that its instrumentation is of a world standing, and act as sponsor for small and medium size projects
- Develop group strategy within the framework of the ISIS/STFC strategy
- Manage, support and identify development opportunities for Group staff
- Set/monitor objectives for the group and individual group members reflecting the strategy
- Manage the group capital and resource budgets. Allocate resources (time, money, equipment) and ensure their effective use
- Communicate effectively between the group and ISIS/STFC senior staff. Provide reports on group activity as required by ISIS senior management. Maintain regular contact with the ISIS Impact team.
- Collaborate with other science groups within the Science Directorate, Business Development teams, and ISIS more broadly, to take forward ISIS science and instrumentation
- Foster interactions with the user community and further develop the community, encouraging use of ISIS instruments
- Maintain an awareness of capabilities at other neutron sources world-wide, and develop relationships with groups at other facilities.
- Maintain an awareness of other facilities and capabilities on the RAL campus, developing collaborative activity as appropriate.

**_Scientific_**
- Advance a personal scientific programme and collaborative projects which are strongly related to SANS Group capabilities

**_Corporate_**
- Contribute to wider initiatives within the Division, Science Directorate, ISIS, STFC and on an international level

**_Safety_**
- To ensure a safe working culture for staff and users and to review safety procedures and practices within the group

**_Contacts and Communication _**
- Regular contact with all members of the ISIS SANS Group, including running regular Group meetings
- Regular contact with the other ISIS science group leaders and division heads
- Regular contact with members of the ISIS neutron user community and staff at other neutron facilities
- Regular contact with ISIS technical and support staff, design engineers, etc.

**_Shortlisting Criteria _**
- Essential: _
- Recognised science research profile which includes neutron scattering
- Excellent record of scientific impact which includes use of neutron scattering
- Experience of developing and delivering neutron instrumentation
- Experience of management in a scientific context, including people management and budget management, setting priorities, etc.
- Excellent written skills in English.
- Desirable: _
- Experience of leading academic/industrial/facility collaborations
- Experience of review panels and/or committees
- Experience of delivering a capability to an external community

**_Interview Criteria_**
- Essential: _
- Fundamental understanding of the neutron scattering techniques relevant to the group
- An impactful